Sunday, 1 November 2015

2 November 2015

Collects

Prayers
developed from the daily readings

Monday 2
November 2015

Morning
Prayer

Psalms 5 and 6

This first psalm asks for
God to hear the prayers of the victim of harmful lies. God has no time for
wickedness. The psalmist will go to the temple knowing that he too is not yet
righteous and needs help to stay on the path. The psalmist takes the problem to
God and does not retaliate. Instead he asks for all who take refuge in the Lord
to experience joy and protection and exult and bless the Lord.

Debilitating and
terrifying illness has struck the psalmist. It is shaking the psalmist’s faith.
God is asked to lovingly respond. The psalmist stands against evil and
proclaims the Lord’s swift response.

2 Kings 12: 9 – 21

Jehoiada uses a chest, cuts
an opening in the top and the priests place in it all the temple taxes and
donations. When it is full Jehoiada and the king’s secretary count it and
distribute it directly to the carpenters, builders, masons and stone-cutters
and for the purchase of timber etc. No vessels are made for the House of the
Lord out of this money. The money is distributed fairly. All money for guilt
and sin offerings stays with the priests.

King Hazael of Aram begins
a campaign against Jerusalem. King Jehoash takes all the votive gifts he and
previous Kings had dedicated to the House of the Lord and all the gold in its
treasuries and sends it to King Hazael who withdraws from Jerusalem.

Matthew
21: 1 – 13

Jesus
arrives at Bethphage on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. He instructs the
disciples to collect a donkey and foal. Mounted, he enters the city in the
manner that fulfils the prophecy. A crowd gathers spreading their coats and
palm branches on the road shouting, “Hosanna”. The city was in turmoil asking,
“Who is this?”

Jesus
goes to the temple and clears it of corrupt moneychangers and sellers of
sacrificial doves. The temple is to be a house of prayer not a den of robbers.

Collect for
Morning Prayer

Glass windowSt Saviours Anglican ChurchGladstone Qld L Osburn

Holy
Lord you know each one of us. You know our innermost concerns. Through
scripture we are aware that all of us – even those in charge of the temple need
processes and systems for accountability and to ensure fairness. You also show
us that there are times we must sacrifice things we value for a greater purpose.
This week guide us and help us to be accountable, fair and focused on your
purpose so that we bring honour to you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 2
November 2015

Evening
Prayer

Psalms 7
and 8

In the first psalm,
someone who was an ally has been harmed and the blame is being focused on the
psalmist. The psalmist seeks God’s protection, calls on God to search him out
and judge. The psalmist is also aware that the snares the wicked set can turn
against them. The psalmist is confident in a right relationship with God and is
willing to repent. The psalmist promises to praise God when rescued.

God’s majesty is praised.
Every human sound is praise to God. And the psalmist marvels at that. How is it
that humans have such a special place when we consider the expanse of the
heavens? The psalm ends in awe, wonder and praise.

Esther 4

Mordechai tears his clothes
and sits in sackcloth and ashes at the gate. Esther hears and offers new
clothes for him. He does not accept them.

Esther sends a eunuch to Mordechai
who tells him the exact sum of money Haman gave as a bribe, a copy of the
written decree from Susa and requests that Esther approach the King. Esther
gets a message back that no one goes to the King’s presence unless summoned or
they die. She has not been called for 30 days. Mordechai replies to Esther saying
she is not to think she is safe in the palace. If she does nothing she is to
know that relief and deliverance will come from somewhere else and then she and
the future of her father’s line will vanish. Perhaps, he says, she is in the
position she is to be part of the deliverance.

Esther instructs Mordechai
to tell the Jews in Susa to hold a fast for three days. She and her maids will
fast too. Then she will go to the King even though it is unlawful and she might
die.

Revelation 1: 1 – 8

John begins by explaining that
this is a revelation of Christ given to John by an angel. He blesses those who
read the book aloud and those who hear. He greets the churches and sends them
the grace and peace of Christ and of seven spirits before Christ’s throne.

He praises God and proclaims that when
Jesus comes on clouds, that every eye will see Him, that all will wail and, God
will say “I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is and who was and who is to come,
the Almighty” (v. 8).

Collect for
Evening Prayer

Sunset over the desertSilverton NSWL Osburn

Holy Lord you are the one who is and was and who is to
come. You have risked everything for our salvation and kept us special in your
sight. Help us, your faithful people, to be deeply connected to you even if it
takes a fast and to be prepared to act and to risk so that we are part of your
salvation bringing blessings, peace wonder and awe to this world you love through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power
of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.